The Bench

Diagram of the third-fret test showing how to tell if a guitar nut is too high, just right, or cut too low by the gap over the first fret

Is Your Guitar's Nut Too High? The 30-Second Te...

The most overlooked setup fault I see on the bench. Here's a 30-second third-fret test to tell if your nut is cut too high, why it makes open chords play...

Is Your Guitar's Nut Too High? The 30-Second Te...

The most overlooked setup fault I see on the bench. Here's a 30-second third-fret test to tell if your nut is cut too high, why it makes open chords play...

PRS CE 24 in Scarlet Red with a flame maple top, front view

PRS CE 24 vs Custom 24: Does the Bolt-On Neck A...

The CE 24 and Custom 24 share a body, scale, 24 frets, and 85/15 pickups — the real difference is a bolt-on maple neck vs a glued-in mahogany neck. Here's...

PRS CE 24 vs Custom 24: Does the Bolt-On Neck A...

The CE 24 and Custom 24 share a body, scale, 24 frets, and 85/15 pickups — the real difference is a bolt-on maple neck vs a glued-in mahogany neck. Here's...

Diagram comparing linear, vintage 30% audio, and modern 10% audio pot tapers, showing signal level versus guitar volume knob position

Why Does My Guitar's Volume Knob Have a Dead Zo...

Your volume knob's dead zone is a taper problem, not a broken pot. A bench tech explains audio vs. linear pot taper, the 10% and 30% curves, and why the...

Why Does My Guitar's Volume Knob Have a Dead Zo...

Your volume knob's dead zone is a taper problem, not a broken pot. A bench tech explains audio vs. linear pot taper, the 10% and 30% curves, and why the...

Diagram comparing a string bending across a rounded 7.25-inch fretboard radius (choking into the fret crown) versus a flatter radius where the bend rings clean

Why Does My Guitar Fret Out When I Bend?

When a bent note chokes out or dies mid-bend, the string is hitting a higher fret. A bench tech walks through the four real causes — low action, too little...

Why Does My Guitar Fret Out When I Bend?

When a bent note chokes out or dies mid-bend, the string is hitting a higher fret. A bench tech walks through the four real causes — low action, too little...

Gibson 50th Anniversary Flying V in Brimstone Burst with a flamed top and gold hardware

Are Flying Vs Actually Worth It — or Just for t...

A Flying V is built like an SG under the wild shape — the real catch is the ergonomics. A bench tech on playing one seated vs. standing, the eras...

Are Flying Vs Actually Worth It — or Just for t...

A Flying V is built like an SG under the wild shape — the real catch is the ergonomics. A bench tech on playing one seated vs. standing, the eras...

Glossy Vintage Cherry PRS S2 McCarty 594 electric guitar body with clean gold hardware

How to Clean a Guitar Without Ruining the Finish

Most finish damage doesn't come from dirt — it comes from cleaning with the wrong products. Here's the honest, step-by-step method I use on the bench to clean any guitar...

How to Clean a Guitar Without Ruining the Finish

Most finish damage doesn't come from dirt — it comes from cleaning with the wrong products. Here's the honest, step-by-step method I use on the bench to clean any guitar...